Some foodie highlights. I loved the Festival of Ideas sessions at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in March. We saw Rene Redzepi, Ben Shewry and Massimo Bottura. Informative and funny and moving in turns and all spoken with great passion about food and cooking and how they contribute to the art of living. Really memorable. I bought Rene's book … [Read more...] about 2012: The Year That Was: Food
Archives for 2012
Istanbul, Vienna journey – through a literary lens
I don't do much (any) study in advance about places I visit. I'm something of a reluctant traveller focussing on possible catastrophes and disasters and have a partner who plunges into deep research - historical, contemporary, political, natural, social! So I am assured of a personal tour guide wherever we go. But I do like to read at least one … [Read more...] about Istanbul, Vienna journey – through a literary lens
Vienna – random thoughts
The Viennese love their dogs and we saw a few daschunds. This one on the tram. His owner was quite happy for him to be photographed, his name is Ricky. Later, having lunch we heard loud neighing from the nearby Spanish Riding School. Upon investigation we saw the beautiful white horses out and about - in the process of being moved. Some … [Read more...] about Vienna – random thoughts
Vienna – city of cafes
We loved the cafes of Vienna. Everything about them. The look. The waiters. The coffee. The cakes. How you could sit there all day. The newspapers. The wifi access. We sampled a few. Cafe Griensteidl on Michaelerplatz was the first one we went to - maybe your first Viennese cafe one is always your favourite. This one became ours and we visited … [Read more...] about Vienna – city of cafes
Vienna – Pertschy Pensionen
Here is where we have been staying in Vienna. Great location. Only drawback was no wifi in the bedroom - says more about us that we missed it so! Beautiful large room - chandelier, porcelain stove. A former palace. We came up a broad stone staircase to the first floor for reception and breakfast. A glass elevator - like all the elevators in Vienna! … [Read more...] about Vienna – Pertschy Pensionen
Vienna – city of modernity
We went to the Secession. Beautiful building, though it wasn't received as such by the citizens of Vienna when it was first unveiled in 1898.Saw the remnants of Klimpt's Beethoven Frieze inside. Quite beautiful. From there we took a stroll through Art Nouveau and modernist Vienna. Matching pavilions by Otto Wagner in Karlsplatz were built as part … [Read more...] about Vienna – city of modernity